Community Diary : September/October 2022

Athlone Community Radio‘s Community Diary will highlight local events and Community resources taking place throughout Athlone. Community Diary is proudly sponsored by Athlone Credit Union.

. Athlone’s Little Theatre Poetry, Prose and Plays event takes place in the theatre on Friday, September 30th at 8pm, with Ronan Flynn acting as MC. If you have a favourite poem, excerpt from a play or a piece of prose, now is your chance to read it in a laidback, fun atmosphere. If you want to just come along, listen and appreciate the readings, the more the merrier…. New members are most welcome. For further information contact Ronan by e-mail on readings@athlonelittletheatre.ie.

. Athlone Branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the blind is holding an annual pet blessing at the Franciscan Friary gardens Athlone on Sunday October 2nd at 3pm. All pets welcome, and light refreshments will be served afterwards. Donations are welcome.

. With its 70th anniversary just around the corner, Athlone Flower & Garden Club will hold its annual general meeting in the Bounty Athlone on Tuesday, October 4th at 8pm. It promises be a busy and exciting year and the club welcomes anyone that is interested in flowers, gardens or horticulture to come along to the AGM to hear what is planned and to get involved in whatever way they can.

. A meeting of the Athlone branch of the National Widows Association will be held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Wednesday, October 5th at 8pm.

. The Old Athlone Society’s next lecture takes place on October 5th at 8.15pm at the Sheraton Hotel Athlone. The title of the lecture is ‘Margaret Thatcher and Ireland: The story of the negotiation of the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985’ by Frank Sheridan, a retired Irish diplomat who, at the time of his retirement in 2014, was Irish Ambassador to Brazil. For more information about the group please visit athlonehistory.ie.

. Westmeath County Council in conjunction with The Arts Council is offering a €10K award to a Westmeath filmmaker/film team towards the cost of production of a short drama or documentary film of 10 – 15 minutes duration to be shot in Westmeath. Full details and application forms can be found on the Westmeath County Council website. Deadline for applications is 4pm on Thursday October 13th 2022.

. Focus Ireland will hold a ’Sleep Out For Homelessness’ night on Friday 14th October, to shine a light on homelessness in Ireland. Visit focusireland.ie to sign up or donate.

 . Athlone Midlands Samaritans need additional volunteers. No experience or qualifications are necessary, and training is provided. If you are interested, please  e-mail: athlone.branchrecruitment@samaritans.org

The Samaritans are available on free call 116123, 24 hours a day to provide emotional support for anyone who wishes to speak to someone in confidence.

. An exhibition of photographs by the talented members of the Midlands Photography Club is currently on display in the Gallery at the Savory Fare Restaurant in Athlone’s Fernhill Garden Centre. More information about the club can be found  on FB or emailing : midlandsphotography@gmail.com

. An exciting new exhibition entitled ‘Breaking Borders’ which features the work of seven artists who work across a range of disciplines including painting, video, photography, sculpture, and performance has opened at the Luan Gallery, Athlone. Breaking Borders runs until September 25th.

. GROW weekly meetings are continuing in The National Learning Network, Belhavel Building, Golden Island, Athlone. If you are in distress, feeling isolated or low, you are welcome to join some like-minded people for support free of charge.  Meetings will run every Wednesday 7pm – 9pm. Contact 086 – 4411358 for further information.

. The Athlone Order of Malta is looking for individuals who are interested in helping out in the local community as part of their organization. The Athlone unit has been serving the community and its environs for many years. Come join our team of Cardiac First Responders. First Aid Responders and emergency Medical technicians. If you would like to become part of the Order of Malta team and would like further information email: athlone@orderofmalta.ie or telephone 087 697 2344.

. St Mary’s Active Retirement Club has reopened for meetings on Monday afternoon’s at 3pm, in the Clonmacnoise Room at St Mary’s Presbytery Athlone. New members are welcome.

. Athlone Indoor Bowls Club meets every Tuesday & Friday nights in St Peter’s School Hall from 7pm. New members are welcome. For more information contact 086-2525593.

. Bingo will take place in St Kieran’s Community Centre each Tuesday night at 8pm. All Welcome

. MABS (the money advice and budgeting service) is a free, confidential and independent service provided by the state guiding people with problem debt for more than 25 years. Money advisers are available by phone, email and live chat across the whole MABS network. You can contact MABS by calling 0818 07 2000.

. Athlone Toastmasters is an educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. New members are always welcome. To find out more please visit athlonetoastmasters.org or find us on FB.

. St Vincent de Paul: to reach out to the local branch in confidence please phone 085-1094354.

. The Samaritans is a confidential helpline with a listening service with trained volunteers. They can be reached by calling free-phone 116123 24 hours per day.